“Not for fame or reward, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty.” --Inscription at Arlington Cemetary

"Each of these heroes stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase in its blessings." -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Army Specialist Christopher M. Katzenberger

Remember Our Heroes

Army Specialist Christopher M. Katzenberger, 25, of St. Louis, Missouri.

Spc Katzenberger died in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained earlier that day in Ghazni, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Katzenberger was hit by a piece of metal while riding in a truck and died from internal injuries, said his father, Michael Katzenberger.

Katzenberger was a medic in the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry, from Fort Bragg, N.C.

"We thought he would be semi-safe compared to Iraq," his father said. "But I guess it was his fate. I guess these things happen."

Katzenberger, a 1998 graduate of DeSmet Jesuit High School, joined the Army after working in a variety of jobs, including a McDonald's restaurant and a convenience store.

"He was just trying to find his way," said Michael Katzenberger, who also has a daughter. "It was a surprise to us that he wanted to join the Army. We were actually glad for him."

While in the Army, Katzenberger liked to jog, his father said.

And before he joined the Army, he loved to play basketball and other sports with youngsters in his neighborhood, in the 2100 block of Coldbrook Court.

On Thursday, some neighbors displayed flags in front of their homes to show their support for Katzenberger's family. One neighbor put up a large flag and hung it at half-staff in front of Katzenberger's home. The flag was surrounded by three smaller ones.

Katzenberger's mother, Kathleen, is a Spanish professor at St. Louis University, and his sister, Amanda, 21, is a student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

"He was unique and really liked the kids around here," said neighbor Richard Galarza, 38. "But the service is where he wanted to be."

"My thoughts and prayers are always with the young ones," Florissant Councilman Mark Schmidt said. "It is just a shame that communities like Florissant are losing our young people like this. And this really hits home when it is your community."

Army Specialist Christopher M. Katzenberger was killed in action on 08/09/05.